New adoption discrimination bill filed in Tennessee. Take action

Rep. Tim Rudd has filed a new bill protecting private adoption agencies, allowing them to turn away prospective parents based on the religious beliefs of the adoption agencies. HB836 is similar to bills that have passed in Kansas and Oklahoma.

The Human Rights Campaign and other organizations will join TEP in opposing this discriminatory legislation that does not put the interests of children first.

Take action and call on Rep. Rudd to withdraw the bill using the form at this link.

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Kendra Estes commented 2019-02-06 21:34:26 -0600
If the members of Tennessee’s General Assembly are to continue purporting the sanctity of human life, they would do well to dignify the life and worth of each and every child by ensuring the removal of barriers to their placement with safe, loving, and compassionate families.
Veronica Privett commented 2019-02-06 20:41:02 -0600
From the time I was a little girl I knew I wanted babies. My fiancee and I are even planning to adopt, very soon. Can you really stand there and look me in the eye and smirk while you rob me of my deepest dreams? Despite the fact that there are so many little ones who desperately crave love and would take two mommies over no mommies? That’s insane.
David Beers commented 2019-02-06 17:26:55 -0600
You use the false pretense of religion to prevent qualified parents to adopt children who need a stable and loving home environment. Love is Love. To propose a bill like this is to totally reject the message and person of Jesus. There is already a shortage of qualified persons willing to adopt children in foster care. You can’t really think that allowing discrimination is what Jesus truly wanted. What’s next, not allowing interracial couples from adopting because the religious bias of the agency believes that is wrong. You truly do not represent the people of this district and should be ashamed for such blatant pandering to a small and hateful minority.
Aaron Byrd commented 2019-02-06 14:47:58 -0600
This bill only aims to dehumanize the LGBTQ community and further tie up the foster care system. You’re not thinking about the children. You’re thinking only of your own biases and it shows.
Bebbie Minter commented 2019-02-06 13:24:40 -0600
I did not choose to be straight. From the time I was a toddler, I imagined myself wit a husband who was as handsome and outgoing as my Daddy. I simply recognized what I wanted, and who I was.

That experience led me to be as supportive as I can be to persons whose gender identity and sexual orientation differ from my own. My reasoning and experience make me certain that most persons, truth be known, come to terms with who we are, what we feel inter in, or even lead to, careers, even lives, that reflect the total person we become!

Be who you were born to be! You will find the support you want, need, and deserve from many people who see, accept, support, and love you! Keep the faith!

Bebbie Minter